Gov. Whitmer declares state of emergency in Wayne County after widespread flooding

WAYNE COUNTY, MI - Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has declared a state of emergency in Wayne County after days of heavy rainfall and drainage issues led to widespread flooding on roads and residential areas.

The area received about 3.6 inches of rain between Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. The deluge swamped neighborhoods, and led some people to take to the flooded streets with canoes and kayaks.

Heavy flooding shut down a stretch of the Southfield Freeway in both directions. Sandbags remain stacked in some Metro Detroit areas.

The governor’s emergency declaration came Thursday, after a similar act from Wayne County Executive Warren Evans, according to the Associated Press.